T/C 4 versus 6

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Patti777
Patti777 Member Posts: 45
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My doctor wants me to have 6 sessions of T/C but my insurance refuses it. Has anyone else ran into this and has anyone else only have 4? I have triple negative ductal stage 2.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2013


    Patti, many women get only 4. In fact, I'm not sure there are yet stats to show if 6 is a superior regimen, although some oncs recommend it, especially to younger women or those with more aggressive stats. But, as far as I know, there may not be research to back up TCx6, which is probably why your insurance company will not automatically approve it -- although that doesn't mean it may not be in your best interest based on your individual stats. I don't know.


    My two best suggestions would be (1) Ask your onc to show you the research that supports his/her recommendation of TCx6. And perhaps more importantly, (2) get a second opinion, if you haven't already, at an NCI-designated cancer center where they will have the most experience with TNBC, as well as oncs who probably have a special interest in TNBC research, so will be totally up on the very latest information. http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center


    Hope this helps, and let us know what happens... (((Hugs))) Deanna

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2013


    I second what Deanna said about getting a second opinion. To date there are no studies comparing 6 rounds of TC to 4 rounds. 4 is the standard, but 6 is used sometimes in more aggressive and/or advanced cancers. There is a study comparing 6TC to AC-T, but it is ongoing, and results are not in yet. You are welcome to OM me with more questions, as I did quite a bit of research when my MO and I were deciding 4vs 6. My situation was different becaus I was not TN, but i did spend hours and hours and hours researching it!

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